On March 30th, the Rumi Forum Maryland held its Peace and Dialogue Awards Ceremony in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Rumi Forum presented awards to Celebrate Education and Peace Initiatives by Maryland Officials who have shown an extraordinary effort in contributing to a more peaceful society.

The event highlighted the importance of education and intercultural and interfaith dialog in building sustainable peace.

The State of Maryland
Proclamation
From the Governor of the State of Maryland

THE RUMI FORUM
March 30, 2011

Whereas, The Rumi Forum has been fostering interfaith and intercultural dialog to provide a platform
for education and information dialog to provide a platform for education and information exchange; and

Whereas, The Turkish community and the Rumi Forum in the State, have been a source of economic,
intellectual and cultural richness to our community; and

Whereas, The Rumi Forum continues to engage the State through education, outreach, and civic
engagement; and

Whereas, Maryland is proud to congratulate The RUMI FORUM on their Annual Dialogue and Peace
Awards Ceremony, and do commend the Turkish community for their dedication and
contributions to the State of Maryland and wish them success in all future endeavors.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARTIN O’MALLEY, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND, do hereby offer a special tribute in honor of THE RUMI FORUM, and do commend this observance to all of our citizens.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the State of Maryland,
this 30th day of March
Two Thousand and eleven

Martin O’MalleyGovernor

Anthony G. BrownLt. Governor

John P. McDonoughSecretary of State

The Honorable Barbara Mikulski, United States Senator from Maryland, sent a proclamation letter commending the event. Her statement follows.

March 28, 2011

Dear Dr. Bozdag & Friends:

Greetings to the members and guests of the Rumi Forum, Maryland Branch, on the occasion of your Annual Dialogue and Peace Awards Ceremony 2011. Thank you for the kind invitation to share this uplifting event. I applaud your theme of “The Role of Education in Peacemaking.”

Congratulations to all of this evening’s distinguished honorees. This award is an affirmation of your lifelong commitment to dialogue, debate, and democracy. I commend you for your achievements and offer you my best wishes for the continued success I know you will enjoy.

In 1788, James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, said that a popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it is but a prologue to Farce or Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.

Our founding statesmen predicated their concept of a representative democracy on education and knowledge. This protocol has served America well for over 200 years. It is perhaps our best contribution to world peace.

About us

Rumi Forum was founded in 1999 with the mission to foster intercultural dialogue, stimulate thinking and exchange of opinions on supporting and fostering democracy and peace and to provide a common platform for education and information exchange. The Forum contributes to this ultimate aim by means of conferences, panel discussions, community engagement, luncheons, publications and other activities. In particular the forum has an interest in issues regarding pluralism, peace building and conflict resolution, intercultural and interfaith dialogue, social harmony and justice, civil rights and community cohesion.

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